On motion of Mr. Norton, the vote last taken was reconsidered, and the said preamble and resolution referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs.

Mr. Loan, on leave, introduced a joint resolution (H. Res. 10) explanatory of the first section of an act entitled "An act relating to habeas corpus, &c.;" which was read a first and second time and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Mr. McClurg, on leave, introduced a bill (H. R. 35) to provide for the deficiency in the appropriation for the pay of officers and men actually employed in the western department, or department of Missouri; which was read a first and second time and referred to the Committee of Ways and Means.

Mr. Blow presented the memorial of James Lindsay, contesting the seat of John G. Scott, as a representative from the third congressional district of Missouri; which was referred to the Committee of Elections.

Notices were given, under the rule, of motions for leave to introduce bills, as follows, viz:

By Mr. Kinney: A bill to authorize and direct the Commissioner of Indian Affairs to settle and adjust the accounts of Ex-Governor Brigham Young, which were allowed while he was ex officio superintendent of Indian affairs for the Territory of Utah, and to make the necessary provisions for the payment of whatever may be found due.

By Mr. George E. Cole: A bill to create an additional land district in the Territory of Washington.

By Mr. Higby: A bill requiring an oath of loyalty to the government of the United States from all persons extracting minerals from the public lands. By Mr. Daniel Morris: A bill to provide for the payment of bounties to certain troops.

And,

By Mr. Arnold: A bill to enlarge the Illinois and Michigan canal, and improve the Illinois river, so that gunboats can pass from the Mississippi river to Lake Michigan.

Mr. James S. Rollins submitted the following resolution, viz:

Resolved, That, prompted by a just patriotism, we are in favor of an earnest and successful prosecution of the war, and that we will give a warm and hearty support to all those measures which will be most effective in speedily overcoming the rebellion, and in securing a restoration of peace, and which may not substantially infringe the Constitution and tend to subvert the true theory and character of the government; and we hereby reiterate that the present deplorable civil war has been forced upon the country by the disunionists now in revolt against the constitutional government; that in the progress of this war, Congress, banishing all feeling of mere passion or resentment, will recollect only its duty to the whole country; that this war is not waged on our part in any spirit of oppression, nor for any purpo se of conquest or subjugation, nor purpose of overthrowing or interfering with the rights or established institutions of those States, but to defend and maintain the supremacy of the Constitution, and to preserve the Union with all the dignity, equality, and rights of the several States unimpared; that as soon as these objects are accomplished, the war ought to cease. The same having been read,

Mr. Rollins moved the previous question, and the House refused to second the same.

The question then recurring on agreeing to the resolution,
Mr. Wadsworth moved that it be laid on the table.

It was decided in the negative, {Nays.

52

115

The yeas and nays being desired by one-fifth of the members present,

So the House refused to lay the resolution on the table.

The question again recurring on the resolution,

Lorenzo D. M. Sweat
M. Russell Thayer
Henry W. Tracy
Daniel W. Voorhees
William H. Wadsworth
Elijah Ward

Ellihu B. Washburne
Edwin H. Webster
Ezra Wheeler
Chilton A. White
Joseph W. White
James F. Wilson
Charles H. Winfield
Fernando Wood
Fred'ck E. Woodbridge
George H. Yeaman.

Mr. Morrill moved that it be referred to a select committeee.

Pending which,

Debate arising theron, the resolution was laid over under the rule. Mr. Driggs submitted the following resolution; which was read, considered, and, under the operation of the previous question, agreed to, viz:

Resolved, (the Senate concurring,) That when this House adjourns on Wednesday, the 23d instant, it shall be until the 5th day of January, 1864. Mr. Ellihu B. Washburne moved that the vote last taken be reconsidered, and also moved that the motion to reconsider be laid on table; which latter motion was agreed to.

Ordered, That the Clerk request the concurrence of the Senate therein. Mr. Longyear submitted the following resolution; which was read, considered, and agreed to, viz:

Resolved, That the Committee on Military Affairs be instructed to inquire into the expediency of so amending section two of the "act to provide for enrolling and calling out the national forces and for other purposes," that the right of aged and infirm parents to select one of two or more sons liable to military duty under said act, to be exempt, shall depend upon the fact that such aged and infirm parents are dependent upon the labor of such son for their support.

Mr. Kasson, on leave, introduced a joint resolution (H. R. 11) in relation. to the claim of Carmack and Ramsay; which was read a first and second time and referred to the Committee of Claims.

Mr. Kasson, on leave, also introduced a bill (H. R. 36) to equalize the salary of certain officers therein named; which was read a first time. Objection being made to the bill, the question was put, Shall the bill be . rejected?

And it was decided in the affirmative.

Mr. Ellihu B. Washburne moved that the vote last taken be reconsidered, and also moved that the motion to reconsider be laid on the table; which latter motion was agreed to.

Mr. Kasson submitted the following resolution; which was read, considered, and agreed to, viz:

Resolved, That the Committee on Military Affairs be instructed to inquireinto and report the facts respecting the alleged inhumanity of the enemy in their treatment of our dead and wounded soldiers on the battle-field, and of the prisoners of war in their hands; and that they report as early as possible, with such recommendations for the action of the House as they may think necessary.

Mr. Kasson also submitted the following resolution, viz:

Resolved, That the Committee of Claims be instructed to inquire into the causes of the delay at the offices of the Paymaster General and of the Second Auditor, in the adjustment of and payment of the accounts and claims of deceased and disabled soldiers; and report what legislation, if any, is necessary to facilitate such adjustment and payment.

The same having been read,

Mr. Lovejoy moved to amend the same by striking out the word "Claims," and inserting in lieu thereof the words "Military Affairs;" which motion. was disagreed to.

The resolution was then agreed to.

Mr. Kasson also submitted the following resolution; which was read and referred to the select committee on the rules, viz:

Resolved, That an additional standing committee shall be appointed at the commencement of the first session of each Congress, whose duties shall continue until the first session of the ensuing Congress, to consist of five members, to be entitled a committee on national and international coinage, weights, and measures; and to this committee shall be referred bills, resolutions, and communications to this house upon the subjects named in the title of the committee.

Mr. Grinnell submitted the following preamble and resolution; which were read, considered, and agreed to, viz:

Whereas, since the breaking out of the rebellion, prisoners held by the United States have been treated under the rules of war with the most humane consideration; and whereas, on learning that our soldiers held at Richmond were suffering unto death for food and clothing, by the confession of their captors-in the language of Mr. Foote, of the rebel Congress, "the commissary general having starved the enemy's prisoners"-the friends of the prisoners and the soldiers' aid societies continued to forward food and clothing until forbidden by the rebel authorities: Therefore, Resolved, That this is a wanton act of cruelty unprecendented in modern warfare, at war with the humane sentiments of the age, and meets the protest and execration of this house, and can but consign the authors of such infamous deeds to the reprobation of the Almighty.

Mr. Wilson submitted the following resolution; which was read, considered, and, under the operation of the previous question, agreed to, viz:

Resolved, That the Committee on Roads and Canals be instructed to inquire into the expediency of constructing a canal around the rapids in the Mississippi river, commencing at Keokuk, Iowa, and the committee have leave to report by bill or otherwise.

Mr. Cobb submitted the following resolution, viz:

Resolved, That the Committee on Military Affairs be instructed to inquire into the expediency of providing for increasing the rank of the Provost Marshal General of the United States.

Pending which,

Mr. Cobb moved the previous question; which was seconded, and the main question ordered to be put.

When,

On motion of Mr. James C. Allen,

Ordered, That the resolution be laid on the table.

Mr. Sloan submitted the following resolution, viz:

Resolved, That the Committee on Roads and Canals be instructed to inquire into the expediency of authorizing, by act of Congress, the construction of a through line of railway between the cities of Washington and New York, and to report by bill or otherwise, at their earliest convenience.

The same having been read,

Mr. Sloan moved the previous question.

Pending which,

On motion of Mr. Holman,

Ordered, That the resolution be laid on the table.

Mr. Cornelius Cole, by unanimous consent, presented joint resolutions of the legislature of the State of California, as follows, to wit:

I. In relation to the boundary line of said State; which was referred to the Committee on the Territories.

II. In regard to a weekly mail in Tehanna county; which was referred to the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads.

III. In regard to Indian supplies and reservations; which was referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.

IV. In regard to the tax on native wines; which was referred to the Committee of Ways and Means.

V. In regard to a weekly mail in Tulare county; which was referred to the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads.

Ordered, That the said resolutions be printed.

Mr. McBride submitted the following resolution; which was read, considered, and agreed to, viz:

Resolved, That the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads be directed to inquire into the expediency of establishing a post route from Fort Bridger, Utah Territory, by way of Bannock city, Idaho Territory, to Auburn, and thence to Dalles city, in the State of Oregon, and of providing for the conveyance of the mails along the same by a daily service in four-horse coaches, and report to this house thereon.

Mr. Kinney submitted the following preamble and resolution, viz: Whereas the government is involved in a terrible struggle for its existence, forced upon our great and hitherto unprecedentedly prosperous nation, without cause or justification, by men in armed rebellion against the most enlightened and liberal government of the world; and whereas the gov ernment is in need of the services of all the soldiers who have been raised since the breaking out of the rebellion; and whereas a number of companies of the California volunteers are now stationed at Camp Douglas, within the city limits of Great Salt Lake City, Utah Territory, far removed from usefulness and the active scenes of war: Therefore,

Resolved, That the Committee on Military Affairs be instructed to inquire into the causes which have led to the stationing of a large standing army among a peaceful and loyal people.

The same having been read,

The question was put, Will the House agree thereto?

And it was decided in the negative.

Mr. Holman moved that the vote last taken be reconsidered; which motion was disagreed to.

Mr. George E. Cole, on leave, introduced a bill (H. R. 37) to endow a military professorship in the University of Washington Territory; which was read a first and second time and referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.

Mr. George E. Cole also, on leave, introduced a bill (H. R. 38) to amend an act entitled "An act donating public lands to the several States and Territories which may provide colleges for the benefit of agriculture and the mechanic arts," approved July 2, 1862; which was read a first and second time and referred to the Committee on Public Lands.

Mr. Bennet submitted the following resolution; which was read, considered, and agreed to, viz:

Resolved, That the Committee on Territories be instructed to consider the justice, necessity, and propriety of equalizing the salaries of the United States judges in the Territories of Colorado, New Mexico, and Idaho, and to report by bill or otherwise.

Mr. Spalding, on leave, introduced a bill (H. R. 39) explanatory of an act entitled "An act for enrolling and calling out the national forces, and for other purposes," approved March 3, 1863; which was read a first and second time and referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.

The States and Territories having all been called for resolutions,

The Speaker announced as the business next in order resolutions which were laid over on account of debate arising thereon.

When

Mr. Ellihu B Washburne moved that the House resolve itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.

Pending which,

On motion of Mr. Cox, at 1 o'clock and 55 minutes p. m., the House adjourned.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1863.

The following memorials, petitions, and other papers were laid upon the Clerk's table, under the one hundred and thirty-first rule of the House: By Mr. William G. Brown: The certificate of John B. Ailworth, clerk of the county court of Accomack county, State of Virginia, certifying to the election of Joseph Segar as a representative in Congress according to the laws of Virginia; which was referred to the Committee of Elections.

By Mr. Hotchkiss: The memorial of Garrett Hullfish, praying compensation for property destroyed by United States troops at Haymarket, in the State of Virginia.

By Mr. Pomeroy: The petition of Darius S. Cole, praying for the payment of a judgment rendered in his favor by the Court of Claims.

By Mr. Holman: The petition of J. O. Armies, praying compensation for property destroyed by the United States troops at Anandale, Virginia.

Ordered, That the said memorial and petitions be referred to the Committee of Claims.

By Mr. Gooch: The memorial of Margaret L. Stevens, widow of General Isaac I. Stevens-heretofore presented January 12, 1863; which was referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.

By Mr. John H. Rice: The petition of Julia A. Jemison, widow of Brigadier General Charles D. Jemison-heretofore referred February 7, 1863; which was referred to the Committee on Invalid Pensions.

By Mr. Edward H. Rollins: The remonstrance of the Norwalk Lock Com